ATTACHMENT K

PROPOSED RULE 403

COACHELLA VALLEY AGRICULTURAL HANDBOOK
FINAL

Rule 403 Coachella Valley

Agricultural Handbook

Measures to Reduce Dust from Agricultural Operations in the

Coachella Valley

Prepared by

South Coast Air Quality

Management District

April 2004
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

As you may be aware, our air quality is among the worst in the nation for dust and 

soot, or more technically, small suspended particulate matter. Although agricultural 

operations are not among the largest contributors to this problem in this area, federal law 

requires that all sources here implement best available control measures on their dust 

sources. 

South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) staff, in conjunction with the 

Riverside County Farm Bureau, Coachella Valley producers, and local representatives from 

the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed the enclosed 

conservation practices to reduce dust from agricultural operations and to help clean our air 

and meet federal requirements. The list of conservation practices represents a menu 

approach in which producers can select the practices that are most appropriate for their 

specific operations. Producers that voluntarily implement the suggested minimum number 

of conservation practices for each category in Section II by December 31, 2004 and 

complete and maintain the self-monitoring form in Section V of this document will maintain 

an exemption from AQMD's stringent fugitive dust regulations. If your farm is smaller than 

10 contiguous acres or is primarily used for the purpose of raising fowl or animals you do 

not have to implement the conservation practices, however, they are recommended to 

preserve your soil by minimizing dust lost to the air. If your farm is within the South Coast 

Air Basin (Orange County, western Riverside County, and the non-desert portions of Los 

Angeles and San Bernardino Counties) there is a separate list of conservation practices that 

must be implemented to maintain a Rule 403 exemption.

These conservation practices were developed through an open process with 

producers and their local agricultural agency representatives. If you have any questions, 

comments, or would like assistance in interpreting the conservation practices, please contact 

the AQMD at (909) 396-2000, or your local farm bureau, RCD, or NRCS. Additional 

information on conservation practices can be found by calling the phone numbers listed on 

page 3 of this packet. 

The AQMD would like to thank you for your efforts to keep our skies clear.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Section I

Purpose ...... 1

Rule 403 Applicability 1

Conservation Practice Selection 2

Alternative Conservation Practices 3

Technical Justifications 3

Conservation Practice Implementation Guidance 3

Section II

Active Conservation Practices 4

Inactive Conservation Practices 5

Farm Yard Area Conservation Practices 7

Track-Out Conservation Practices 8

Unpaved Road Conservation Practices 9

Storage Pile Conservation Practices 10

Section III

Submittal Instructions for Alternative Conservation Practices 11

Section IV

Submittal Instructions for a Justification Statement 12

Section V

Conservation Practice Self-Monitoring Form 13

Section VI

Opting for Rule 403 general provisions 16

Failure to comply with Rule 403 17

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Boundaries of the Coachella Valley 1
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(1/17) April 2004

Section I

Purpose

To reduce the dust and corresponding PM10 emissions (Particulate Matter less than 10 microns 

in diameter) generated from agricultural operations and to meet federal requirements to 

implement appropriate particulate matter reduction programs. 

Rule 403 Applicability

Agricultural operations that have 10 contiguous acres or less or are primarily used for the 

purpose of raising fowl or animals will remain exempt from Rule 403. Agricultural operations in 

excess of 10 contiguous acres and are conducted within the Coachella Valley (see Figure 1 

below) can voluntarily implement the conservation practices and complete the self-monitoring 

form no later than January 1, 2005, and maintain their exemption from all Rule 403 

requirements. After January 1, 2005, producers who do not implement the conservation 

practices become subject to all other Rule 403 requirements. Failure to meet Rule 403 

requirements may result in mandatory conservation class(es), required dust control plans, fines, 

or other penalties.

FIGURE 1
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(2/17) April 2004

Section I

Conservation Practice Selection

Producers who voluntarily implement the minimum number of conservation practices 

listed under each category in Section II by January 1, 2005, and complete and maintain 

the self-monitoring form (Section V) will be exempt from the requirements of Rule 403. 

The list of conservation practices may be updated periodically to reflect any new 

developments in control technology. Producers that do not elect to implement sufficient 

conservation practices become subject to all Rule 403 requirements beginning January 1, 

2005.

The list of conservation practices is divided into the six categories presented below. The 

italicized text underneath the category descriptions represent the minimum number of 

conservation practices to be implemented in order to maintain a Rule 403 exemption. 

Producers can also choose alternative conservation practices or provide a technical 

justification if the minimum number of conservation practices for a category (e.g., 

inactive) can not be implemented on-site (see Sections III and IV).

1. Active - applicable to agricultural activities involved in disturbing the soil (not 

applicable to established orchards, vine crops, nurseries, range land, and 

irrigated pasture).

(producers must cease activities during wind conditions greater than 25 mph (as 

specified in AQMD Rule 403.1 and implement at least one of the other conservation 

practices. Additional information on the tilling prohibitions is included Section II under 

the heading – Activity Modification) 

2. Inactive - applicable to agricultural sites when no soil disturbance activities are being 

conducted (not applicable to established orchards, vine crops, nurseries, 

range land, and irrigated pasture)

(at least three of the conservation practices must be implemented within this category)

3. Farm Yard Areas - applicable to disturbed surfaces used by people or vehicles (e.g., 

equipment storage yards) on at least eight calendar days per year

(at least one of the conservation practices must be implemented within this category)

4. Track-Out - applicable to vehicles or other equipment carrying soil from an unpaved 

surface to a paved public road

(at least one of the conservation practices must be implemented within this category)

5. Unpaved Roads - applicable to private unpaved roads used by producers

(producers must implement a surface treatment when more than 25 vehicles per day use 

an unpaved and at least one of the conservation practices must be implemented during 

other time periods)

6. Storage Piles - applicable accumulations of material

(at least one of the conservation practices must be implemented within this category)
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(3/17) April 2004

Section I

Alternative Conservation Practices 

Producers can implement alternative conservation practices that are more suitable to their 

specific farming operations. Producers that elect to implement alternative conservation 

practices and want to qualify for the Rule 403 exemption must provide a description of 

the alternative conservation practices to the AQMD. Please refer to Section III (page 11) 

of this Handbook for AQMD submittal instructions.

Technical Justifications 

In the event that there are special technical (e.g., non-economic) circumstances, including 

safety, which prevent implementation of the minimum number of conservation practices 

for each category in Section II, producers can submit a justification statement to the 

AQMD. The justification statement must explain the reason(s) why the suggested 

minimum number of conservation practices within a category can not be implemented 

on-site. Please refer to Section IV (page 12) of this Handbook for AQMD submittal 

instructions.

Conservation Practice Implementation Guidance

Technical assistance with selecting, adopting, and implementing any of the conservation 

practices listed in Section II is available, free of charge, from your local Farm Bureau, 

Resource Conservation District (RCD), or Natural Resources Conservation Service 

(NRCS) office. Cost-sharing incentives to implement practices that reduce dust may also 

be available from these resource agencies. Phone numbers of local Farm Bureau, 

Riverside County Cooperative Extension, RCD, and NRCS offices are listed below. 

Farm Bureau/NRCS/RCD Offices

Riverside County Farm Bureau (909) 684-6732

Riverside County Cooperative Extension (909) 683-6491

Riverside Resource Conservation District (909) 683-7691

Indio NRCS offices (760) 347-3675
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(4/17) April 2004

Section II

1. Active Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: established orchards, date groves, vine crops, nurseries, range land, 

and irrigated pasture

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must implement the Activity Modification 

conservation practice and at least one of the other conservation practices.

Activity Modification (Mandatory)

Cease agricultural tilling or soil mulching activities (does not include harvesting 

activities) during wind conditions in excess of 25 miles per hour (mph) consistent with 

AQMD Rule 403.1 paragraphs (d)(5) and (i)(3). A one-day exemption from this 

prohibition is allowed if wind conditions in excess of 25 mph have occurred on six hours 

or more hours on each of two previous consecutive days. Additionally, if 25 mph wind 

conditions have occurred during sixty or more cumulative hours of active operations 

within a calendar month, the tilling / soil mulching prohibitions will no longer be 

applicable for the remainder of the month. To invoke these exemptions, records of wind 

conditions must be maintained and made available to the Executive Officer upon request.

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must implement at least one of the other four 

conservation practices listed below.

1. Soil Moisture Monitoring 

Ensure adequate soil moisture levels at the time of tillage or soil maintenance activities to 

prevent visible dust emissions from extending more than 100 feet from any source within 

the agricultural parcel.

2. Irrigation System 

Irrigate or bed fields as soon as feasible based on Coachella Valley crop schedule after 

land leveling or releveling to prevent the field being left in a smooth dry condition. If the 

field will not be planted based on the Coachella Valley crop schedule, then stabilize or 

implement Inactive Conservation Practices (e.g., surface roughing, cover crop, etc.).

3. Minimum Tillage 

Utilize conservation tillage practices to manage the amount, orientation and distribution 

of crop and other plant residues on the soil surface year-round, while growing crops in 

narrow slots or tilled strips. Your local NRCS, RCD, or Riverside County Cooperative 

Extension office can provide guidance on various minimum tillage practices.

4. Mulching 

Uniformly distribute plant residues, manure, or other suitable materials not produced on 

the site to the soil surface prior to disturbing the soil.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(5/17) April 2004

Section II

2. Inactive Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: established orchards, date grove, vine crops, nurseries, range land, 

and irrigated pasture

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must implement at least three of the following 

eight conservation practices listed below.

1. Cover Crop

Establish a cover crop that establishes a minimum of 60 percent ground cover on fields 

that will remain fallow until the next crop planting. Vegetative growth to be managed, if 

necessary, by mowing, grazing, approved chemicals or other means that maintain the 

necessary cover. (Native or volunteer vegetation that meets the minimum ground cover 

requirements also represents an acceptable cover crop).

2. Crop Residue Management

Maintain crop residues from previous crops that establishes a minimum of 60 percent 

ground cover on fields that will remain fallow until the next crop planting. Implements 

such as undercutters or sweeps that sever roots and lift weeds without burying or 

destroying much of the residue are most efficient for maintaining surface cover.

3. Surface Roughening 

Conduct surface roughening by bedding, rough disking, or tillage that leaves the surface 

covered with stable clods. Disc fallow fields in the early spring to get the winter weeds 

before they mature seed and before it dries out so clods will be produced. List or bed up 

in May to get early summer weeds before they seed and before it is too dry to bed.

4. Minimum Tillage 

Utilize conservation tillage practices to manage the amount, orientation and distribution 

of crop and other plant residues on the soil surface year-round, while growing crops in 

narrow slots or tilled strips. Your local Farm Bureau, NRCS, or Riverside County 

Cooperative Extension, office can provide guidance on various minimum tillage 

practices.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(6/17) April 2004

Section II

2. Inactive Conservation Practices (Concluded)

Exempted operations: orchards, vine crops, nurseries, range land, and irrigated pasture

5. Cross Wind Stripcropping 

Establish crops in strips established across the prevailing wind erosion direction and 

arranged so that strips susceptible to wind erosion are alternated with strips having a 

protective cover that is resistant to wind erosion.

6. Field Windbreaks 

Plant or maintain a single or multiple row of trees or shrubs adjacent to windward edge of 

the field as close to perpendicular as practical with the direction of erosive winds. Avoid 

conflicts with any above or below ground utilities. Local Farm Bureau, Riverside 

County Cooperative Extension, or NRCS office can provide technical assistance on 

selecting proper tree species, appropriate spacing, and maintenance requirements.

7. Ridge Roughness

Establish ridges by normal tillage and planting equipment as close to perpendicular as 

practical with the direction of erosive winds (not appropriate for unstable soils such as 

sands or loamy sands). After establishment, ridges shall be maintained through those 

periods when wind erosion is expected to occur, or until growing crops provide enough 

cover to protect the soil from wind erosion.

8. Wind Barriers 

Plant or maintain perennial or annual plants interspersed throughout a crop field as close 

to perpendicular as practical with the direction of erosive winds. To be effective, the 

selected plant(s) must create a stand at least three feet tall. Selection of plants for wind 

barriers should favor species or varieties tolerant to herbicides used on adjacent crops. 

Local Farm Bureau, Riverside County Cooperative Extension, RCD, or NRCS offices can 

provide technical assistance on selecting proper tree species, appropriate spacing, and 

maintenance requirements.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(7/17) April 2004

Section II

3. Farm Yard Area Conservation Practices

Farm yard areas refer to disturbed surfaces used by people or vehicles (e.g., equipment 

storage yards) on at least eight calendar days per year.

Exempted operations: none

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must implement at least one of the four 

conservation practices listed below.

1. Vegetation

Establish or maintain vegetation at sufficient density to prevent wind driven dust.

2. Dust Suppressants

Apply water or approved chemical stabilizers at a sufficient quantity and frequency to 

prevent wind driven dust.

3. Surface Area Modification

Apply material with low silt content (i.e., asphalt, concrete, recycled road base, or gravel 

to a minimum depth of four inches) at sufficient quantity and frequency to prevent wind 

driven dust.

4. Disturbed Surface Area Reduction

Reduce farm yard area by at least 50 percent from the original disturbed surface area. To 

qualify, the original disturbed surface area must be treated (e.g., vegetation, watering that 

establishes a crust, chemical stabilization, etc.) to prevent wind driven dust.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(8/17) April 2004

Section II

4. Track-Out Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: none

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must implement at least one of the three 

conservation practices listed below.

1. Track-Out Area Improvements

Pave or apply chemical stabilization at sufficient concentration and frequency to maintain 

a stabilized surface starting from the point of intersection with the public paved surface, 

and extending for a centerline distance of at least 100 feet with an acceptable width to 

accommodate traffic ingress and egress from the site.

2. Track-Out Prevention

Check or clean the undercarriage and wheels on haul trucks before leaving field or install 

a track-out control device to prevent the track-out of soil onto paved public roads.

3. End of Row Equipment Turn Around Areas

Prohibit turning tractors and implements on paved public roads if soil will be dropped on 

the road or clean pavement after practices have ceased.

Note: the California Motor Vehicle Code (CVC) prohibits the depositing of soil on 

highways and requires removal of such material. Text from CVC section 23112(b) and 

23113(a) is included below.

CVC 23112(b)

No person shall place, deposit, or dump, or cause to be placed, deposited, or 

dumped, any rocks, refuse, garbage, or dirt in or upon any highway, including any 

portion of the right-of-way thereof, without the consent of the state or local agency 

having jurisdiction over the highway.

CVC 23113(a)

Any person who drops, dumps, deposits, or throws, or causes or permits to be 

dropped, dumped, deposited, placed, or thrown, upon any highway or street any 

material described in section 23112 ... shall immediately remove the material or 

cause the material to be removed
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(9/17) April 2004

Section II

5. Unpaved Roads Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: none

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must implement the surface improvement 

conservation practice when more than 25 vehicles per day will utilize the unpaved road 

and at least one of the other conservation practices during all other times.

Surface Treatment (Mandatory)

Treat unpaved roads when more than 25 vehicles per day will use the road. Treatment 

options include water, mulch, chemical dust suppressants or material with a low silt 

content (i.e., asphalt, concrete, recycled road base, or gravel to a minimum depth of four 

inches) such that visible dust emissions do not exceed 20 percent opacity. Unpaved farm 

roads should be treated early enough so that mud will not stick to tires and be carried 

onto paved public roads. 

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must also implement at least one of the three 

conservation practices listed below.

1. Speed Control

Control speed to 15 miles per hour (mph) on untreated unpaved roads through worker 

notifications, signage, or any other necessary means.

2. Access Restriction

Restrict access to private unpaved roads currently used by the public either through 

signage or physical access restrictions.

3. Unpaved Road Treatments

Treat unpaved roads with water, mulch, chemical dust suppressants, or low silt content 

material (i.e., asphalt, concrete, recycled road base, or gravel to a minimum depth of four 

inches) during heavy use periods. 
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(10/18) April 2004

Section II

6. Storage Pile Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: none

Does not apply to storage of material with a low silt content (i.e., gravel)

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must implement at least one of the four 

conservation practices listed below.

1. Wind Sheltering

Enclose material in a three-sided barrier equal to the height of the material. Open side of 

the barrier should be oriented to the leeward (downwind) side of the material. 

2. Watering

Apply water at a sufficient quantity and frequency to prevent wind driven dust.

3. Chemical Stabilization

Apply an approved dust suppressants at a sufficient quantity and frequency to prevent 

wind driven dust. Best for use on storage piles subject to infrequent disturbances.

4. Covering

Install tarps, plastic, or other material as a temporary cover. Coverings should be 

anchored to prevent wind from removing the cover.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(11/17) April 2004

Section III

Submittal Instructions for Alternative Conservation Practices

Producers can voluntarily implement alternative conservation practices that are more 

suitable to their specific farming operations. However, producers that elect to implement 

alternative conservation practices and want to qualify for the Rule 403 exemption must 

provide a description of the alternative conservation practices to the AQMD. 

Producers that want to implement alternative conservation practices must notify the 

AQMD by December 1, 2004, or 30 days prior to starting a new farming operation.

The notification must include a description of the alternative conservation practice(s) that 

will be implemented on-site.

After receipt of a notification, the AQMD will consult with the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service and the applicable Resource Conservation District to determine the 

appropriateness of the alternative conservation practice(s).

The AQMD will then notify the producer in writing if the alternative conservation 

practices are considered acceptable. Producers will be exempt from implementing 

conservation practices on the source category (e.g., active, inactive, unpaved roads, etc.) 

in which alternative conservation practices are proposed until the AQMD has notified 

said producer whether the alternative conservation practices are acceptable. If the 

alternative conservation practices are deemed unacceptable, the AQMD will notify the 

producer of such a determination and will establish a 30-day grace period to identify 

acceptable alternative conservation practices. During this 30-day grace period, the 

AQMD will work with the producer and the appropriate resource agency personnel to 

identify acceptable alternative conservation practices.

Notifications can be mailed or delivered to:

Rule 403 Compliance

South Coast Air Quality Management District

21865 East Copley Drive

Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4182

Notifications can also be submitted electronically to: 

mlaybourn@aqmd.gov

(909) 396-3066

(909) 396-3252
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(12/17) April 2004

Section IV

Submittal Instructions for Justification Statements

In the event that there are special technical (e.g., non-economic) circumstances, including 

safety, which prevent implementation of the suggested minimum number of conservation 

practices within each category listed in Section II, a justification statement must be 

submitted in order for a producer to qualify for a Rule 403 exemption. 

Producers that want to submit a justification statement must notify the AQMD by 

December 1, 2004, or 30 days prior to starting a new farming operation.

The justification statement must explain the reason(s) why the suggested minimum 

number of conservation practices within a category can not be implemented on-site.

After receipt of a justification statement, the AQMD will consult with the Natural 

Resources Conservation Service and the applicable Resource Conservation District to 

determine the appropriateness of the information submitted.

The AQMD will then notify the producer in writing if the justification statement(s) are 

considered acceptable. Producers will be exempt from implementing conservation 

practices on the source category (e.g., active, inactive, unpaved roads, etc.) in which a 

justification statement is proposed until the AQMD has notified said producer whether 

the justification statement is acceptable. If the justification statement is deemed 

unacceptable, the AQMD will notify the producer of such a determination and will 

establish a 30-day grace period to identify any alternative conservation practices or other 

possible justification statements. During this 30-day grace period, the AQMD will work 

with the producer and the appropriate resource agency personnel to identify alternative 

conservation practices or other possible justification statements.

Justification statements can be mailed or delivered to:

Rule 403 Compliance

South Coast Air Quality Management District

21865 East Copley Drive

Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4182

Justification statements can also be submitted electronically to: 

mlaybourn@aqmd.gov
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(13/17) April 2004

Section V

Conservation Practice Self Monitoring Form

The following form has been prepared to assist producers in documenting 

implementation of the conservation practices. Producers are required to prepare and 

maintain this form at the farm offices to qualify for a Rule 403 exemption. This 

information must be provided to the AQMD Executive Officer upon request. One form 

can be prepared and maintained for multiple farming operations provided that the 

conservation practices are the same at all sites. 

A sample completed conservation practice self-monitoring form is also provided 

following the blank form.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(14/17) April 2004

Section V Farm Name: 

Conservation Practice Self Monitoring Form1

Producer Signature: 

Date: 

Active2 Inactive2 Farm Yard Area Track-Out Unpaved Roads Storage Piles

√

Activity Modification 

(Mandatory)

(minimum of three) (minimum of one) (minimum of one) Surface treatment

on high use roads

(minimum of one)

(minimum of one from 

below)

Cover Crop Vegetation Track-Out Area 

Improvements

(Mandatory) Wind Sheltering

Soil Moisture Crop Residue Dust Suppressants Track-Out Prevention (minimum of one) Watering

Irrigation System Surface Roughening Surface Area 

Modification

End of Row Turn 

Around Areas

Speed Control Chemical 

Stabilization

Minimum Tillage Minimum Tillage Disturbed Surface 

Area Reduction

Alternative Practices Access Restriction Covering

Mulching Cross Wind 

Stripcropping

Alternative Practices Justification Unpaved Road 

Treatments

Alternative Practices

Alternative Practices Field Windbreaks Justification Surface Modification Justification

Justification Ridge Roughness Alternative Practices

Wind Barriers Justification 

Alternative Practices

Justification

 1 If you wish to choose different practices for different fields and/or farm areas, separate sheets must be filled out for each site. 2 The following operations are exempt from active and inactive land conservation practices: orchards, vine crops, nurseries, range land, and irrigated pasture.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(15/17) April 2004

Section V Farm Name: AAAA Farms

Conservation Practice Self Monitoring Form1

Producer Signature: John Smith

Date: 6/19/99

Active2 Inactive2 Farm Yard Area Track-Out Unpaved Roads Storage Piles

√

Activity Modification 

(Mandatory)

(minimum of three) (minimum of one) (minimum of one)

√

Surface treatment

on high use roads

(minimum of one)

(minimum of one from 

below) √

Cover Crop Vegetation

√

Track-Out Area 

Improvements

(Mandatory) Wind Sheltering

Soil Moisture Crop Residue Dust Suppressants Track-Out Prevention (minimum of one) Watering

√

Irrigation System

√

Surface Roughening Surface Area 

Modification

End of Row Turn 

Around Areas √

Speed Control

√

Chemical 

Stabilization

Minimum Tillage Minimum Tillage

√

Disturbed Surface 

Area Reduction

Alternative Practices Access Restriction Covering

Mulching Cross Wind 

Stripcropping

Alternative Practices Justification Unpaved Road 

Treatments

Alternative Practices

Alternative Practices

√

Field Windbreaks Justification Surface Modification Justification

Justification Ridge Roughness Alternative Practices

Wind Barriers Justification 

Alternative Practices

Justification

 1 If you wish to choose different practices for different fields and/or farm areas, separate sheets must be filled out for each site. 2 The following operations are exempt from active and inactive land conservation practices: orchards, vine crops, nurseries, range land, and irrigated pasture.
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(16/17) April 2004

Section VI

Opting for Rule 403 General Provisions

AQMD in conjunction with local producers and staff from the Farm Bureau, NRCS, and 

RCDs have developed the conservation practices contained in this Handbook to be more 

appropriate for farming operations than the traditional dust control requirements for 

construction projects, landfills, and other dust sources.

Producers that do not voluntarily implement the conservation practices before January 1, 

2005, or within 30 days of starting a farming operation at a new site would become 

subject to the general requirements contained in AQMD Rule 403. The following is a 

general summary of the Rule 403 requirements. 

• visible emissions prohibited from crossing the site property line [Section (d)(1)]

• at least one best available control measure must be implemented for each source 

[Section (d)(2)]

• upwind/downwind PM10 differential prohibited from exceeding 50 μg/m3

[Section (d)(3)]

• all track-out must be removed within one hour if material extends more than 25 feet 

from a site [Section (d)(4)]

• sites with more than five acres of disturbed surfaces or those with more than 100 

cubic yards of import or export must install a track-out prevention device at each 

location where vehicles exit the site [Section (d)(5)]

Producers that would like more information can obtain a copy of Rule 403 and the 

general Rule 403 Handbook, which details traditional best available control measures, by 

calling the AQMD at (909) 396-2000 or through the internet at:

www.aqmd.gov
Draft Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(17/17) 2/17/04

Section VI

Failure to Comply with Rule 403

The intent of the AQMD is to work with producers and local resource agencies (e.g., NRCS, 

RCDs, and Farm Bureaus, etc.) to reduce dust and the corresponding PM10 emissions from 

agricultural operations through the voluntary implementation of good conservation practices. 

These emission reductions are necessary as part of the region’s efforts to attain State and Federal 

air quality standards. Failure to achieve compliance with the State and Federal air quality 

standards by the mandated attainment date could result in Federal action that would significantly 

impact our region. 

After January 1, 2005, failure to meet Rule 403 requirements could subject the producer 

mandatory conservation class(es), required dust control plans, fines, or other penalties.